THE Scottish independence referendum is only five-and-a-half months away and RECORD VIEW says it wouldn't have been possible without the passionate support of Margo MacDonald.

BEFORE her famous Govan by-election victory, Margo MacDonald put a £2 bet on herself at odds of 8-1.

At the time, she was one of the very few people in Scotland who actually believed she could do it.

But, as she did so often in her life, the “blonde bombshell” proved the doubters wrong and took home the winnings.

She spent it on a new blouse and presents for her two daughters.

And that one anecdote tells you everything you really need to know about Margo.

Confident, passionate, cheeky and, most of all, completely and utterly different from all the other boring politicians.

Her intellect, humour and passion have been an enduring breath of fresh air in Scottish public life for four decades.

Her husband Jim, her girls and her grandchildren will, of course, feel her absence most.

But all of Scotland is in mourning today.

To be known to the public by your first name alone is a sign of superstar status for celebrities.

For politicians, it is practically unheard of. But ask anyone in Scotland about Margo and they’ll know who you are talking about.

Her ability to connect with everyone, whether a shipyard worker in Govan or a visiting dignitary at the Scottish Parliament, was extraordinary.

That personality spilled out on to the page – as a columnist for the Daily Record and the Sunday Mail – and through the TV lens.

In later years, when the hell of Parkinson’s Disease descended, the brave way she dealt with her illness was inspiring.

Margo’s death comes just five-and-a-half months before the independence referendum she was so looking forward to. And her absence will be felt particularly profoundly on that historic day of September 18.

Scottish politics has lost a true giant. We’ll miss you, Margo.

A people’s victory

THE Tories have had plenty of practice in levying unfair taxes on the least well-off.

But even by their standards, the bedroom tax was a truly disgusting concept.

Only a Cabinet of Eton-educated millionaires could ever have come up with an attack on the right of people in social housing to stay in their homes if they happen to have a “spare” bedroom.

So the news we report today – that no one in Scotland will be out of pocket from the tax this year – is massively welcome.

Perthshire Advertiser

Bedroom Tax Protestors

The tax is not being abolished. It will still be deducted from victims’ housing benefit.

But the Scottish Government say there is now enough money to ensure everyone who suffers will have the money paid back.

The exact practicalities have still to be thrashed out and, rest assured, the Record will be keeping a close eye on that.

But to all intents and purposes, the tax is dead. What a victory for people power.